Florida International wasn't full strength in first meeting with Alabama

Brawl between Florida International and Miami resulted in 18 suspensions for the Golden Panthers. Head coach Mario Cristobal wasn't around for the 2006 incident. (The Associated Press)

Alabama and Florida International meet Saturday night for the second time. The first game was in 2006. FIU was not at full strength for that 38-3 loss.

That's because the Golden Panthers' previous game, against Miami, was marred by a bench-clearing brawl, after which 13 players were ejected (eight from FIU), and 31 players later were suspended (18 from FIU).

Only nine miles separate the FIU and Miami campuses. The game was supposed to be the first of an annual series. The two teams met the following season without incident, but no future games have been scheduled.

FIU coach Don Strock resigned after the 2006 season. Mario Cristobal begins his third season as the Golden Panthers' coach tonight.

Cristobal was asked about the brawl early this week.

"We weren't here as a football staff," he said. "That's something that's way in the past and was addressed the day I got here. It was never a part of our program and will not be going forward."